Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed, receiving an IV drip.

Near the door, the nurses were chatting, their voices carrying into the room.

"Can you believe it? Mr. Blackwood actually flew overseas to buy the rarest pink diamond just to have it crafted into a crown for his apprentice!"

"That’s not all! He also bought out all the Universal Studios parks in the country just to fulfill her childhood dream. Talk about spoiling someone!"

I closed my eyes again, bitterness spreading through my chest.

Three days. I had been lying in this hospital bed for three days, while Logan Blackwood spent that entire time indulging Jade Harlan’s whims.

I wondered how much longer the company’s finances could hold out.

Thinking of Evelyn Blackwood, still lying in her hospital bed, I forced myself to get up despite the pain radiating from my injuries. Gripping the vial of moon dew tightly, I made my way to her room.

Just as I was about to give her the life-saving dew, the door burst open with a loud crash.

Logan stormed in, his face dark with anger. He grabbed my wrist so hard it felt like my bones might snap. He didn’t even spare a glance at his mother lying motionless on the bed.

“What are you running around for? Jade’s dog has been vomiting all night! Isn’t your moon dew supposed to cure anything? Get it out and save the dog!”

I yanked my wrist free with all my strength, glaring at him. “That dew is meant to save your mother! If the dog is sick, call a vet!”

Suddenly, Jade fell to her knees with a dramatic thud, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls.

“Please, Lily, Buddy is like family to me… I know you resent me for being close to Master, but I’ll stay away from him, I promise! Just… just save Buddy. I’m begging you!”

Logan’s face darkened, his fury barely contained. Without warning, he grabbed a chair and smashed it against the ventilator by the bedside.

The machine shattered, and Evelyn’s face turned ashen. Her body convulsed in agony on the bed.

“Logan Blackwood! Are you even human? That’s your mother lying there! Look at her!”

I screamed, rushing forward to stop him, but he shoved me aside with ease.

“Lily Hayes, don’t push your luck! Jade has already humbled herself before you, and you’re still using that dead mother of yours as an excuse?”

His voice was sharp and cold.

“If you don’t use that moon dew to save Jade’s dog right now, then there’s no need for your mother to wake up at all!”

The fragile thread holding my composure snapped.

I nodded, defeated.

Jade rushed forward, cradling her dog. Just one glance told me the animal wasn’t seriously ill.

“This dog just has an upset stomach. It’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

“No way! Lily, you need to look again. It’s sticking out its tongue and panting—it has to be something serious. I knew it… You still hate me…” Jade’s voice trembled, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Logan, visibly annoyed, snatched the moon dew from my hand. In the process, he tore at the bandages covering my wounds, reopening them.

Blood poured out, staining my hospital gown.

I clutched my side, the pain making my face go pale.

For a fleeting moment, regret flickered in Logan’s eyes. “Lily…”

But before he could say anything else, Jade shrieked, “Master, Buddy’s not going to make it! He’s foaming at the mouth!”

Without hesitation, Logan brought the moon dew to the dog’s mouth.

I took a deep breath, meeting his gaze with a calmness I didn’t feel.

“Logan Blackwood, moon dew is something a spirit rabbit can only produce three times in its entire life. This is the last one. Are you sure you want to use it on an animal and give up your mother’s life?”

His jaw tightened, his voice sharp and unyielding. “That’s your mother, not mine! Don’t you dare curse mine!”

He continued, his tone dripping with disdain. “My mom is old. If she dies, she dies. But Jade’s dog is still young. If something happens to it, Jade will be traumatized for the rest of her life!”

I nodded silently and stepped back.

If he was willing to trade his mother’s life for a dog, then I had nothing more to say.